Aldi Mens Performance Short Sleeved Cycling Jersey

The Aldi Mens Performance Short Sleeved Cycling Jersey is a reasonable summer jersey with some decent features, but only as long as you don't put anything but the bare minimum in the rear pockets.

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I'll deal with the pocket issue first because that might be a deal breaker for you. I have a little pack that I always stick in a pocket while riding. It contains a spare tube, tyre levers, multi-tool, and mini pump. It weighs 400g. With that lot and a mobile phone in the rear pockets, the back of this jersey stretched down too far for comfort, and it bounced around when I was riding out of the saddle. The fabrics are just too stretchy to hold it all in place.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to put that kind of stuff in a saddle pack and ride with next to nothing in your pockets, the stretchiness might not be an issue.

Perhaps it's a little unfair to start on a negative because this jersey actually boasts a few good features.

The main fabric is a polyester/elastane mix that wicks sweat reasonably well and dries out quite quickly. This material isn't a world beater when it comes to moisture management, but this is a 20 quid jersey we're talking about – you're not going to get the most sophisticated, high-tech fabrics here.

You can feel cool air getting in via mesh panels at the top of the sides, just underneath the arms, and at the top of the back. These work really well in warm and hot conditions. The mesh on the back is welded in place so there's no stitching to irritate you back there. That's certainly not something I'd expect to find on a jersey of this price. In fact, all of the seams are low profile and I'd be massively surprised if they bothered you.

The end of each sleeve features a laser cut band that's stretchy enough to accommodate various different arm sizes comfortably, and you get something similar around the waist. Silicone in the knit does a good job of keeping everything in place.

The cut is generous. I usually take a large, occasionally a medium, but the medium I had here felt big despite the size chart telling me it was the correct one. Be prepared to go down a size. If the cut was more snug on me, the fabric probably wouldn't have stretched as much at the back.

> Check out our guide to the best cheap cycling jerseys

I'm a big fan of a full-length front zip and the YKK one you get here is good quality, the puller locking firmly in place wherever you position it. You get another YKK zip on a security pocket around the back, along with the three normal rear pockets.

It seems harsh to pick fault with a jersey costing £19.99 but that pocket thing means this one doesn't work for me. Sorry. If you like to ride with empty pockets, take a look because although you might find cheaper jerseys, there aren't many.

Verdict

Reasonable if basic summer jersey but for the fact the back stretches low when you carry essentials in the pockets